Specialist Prosecutor: SPO investigation focused solely on individuals, not KLA

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Specialist Prosecutor: SPO investigation focused solely on individuals, not KLA

In his opening statement at the commencement of the first trial to be held at the Specialist Chambers, that of Salih Mustafa, Prosecutor Jack Smith described the Kosovo Specialist Chambers as a court that was ā€œinspired by Kosovar voices and created by acts of the Kosovar peopleā€ and which is evidence of Kosovoā€™s commitment to the rule of law.

Prosecutor Smith stressed that the business of a prosecutor was individual accountability for crimes that can be proven beyond reasonable doubt and that criminal responsibility for crimes before the Specialist Chambers was personal. ā€œThe SPO does not levy accusations against the KLA or against the war it fought for Kosovo’s independence. It is neither the job nor the desire of the SPO or myself to do so,ā€ Prosecutor Smith said.

ā€œAs a prosecutor it is beyond my remit to argue or decide what wars were just and what wars were not, but I can say that war crimes on one side do not justify war crimes on the other side,ā€ Prosecutor Smith added. ā€œPerhaps most importantly, I also know that truth never damages a cause that is just.ā€

Prosecutor Smith made clear his view that this should be a court for, and about, victims. Noting that many victims ā€œhave been forced to wait two decades to ask for justice for the crimes committed against them and against their family members who are no longer with us,ā€ he explained that: ā€œIf we are to properly serve these victims, there can never be an expiration date on accountability.ā€

With respect to the victims in the case against Mr Mustafa, Prosecutor Smith noted that while in other cases the SPO has brought, the victims were a mix of Kosovar Albanians, Serbs, Roma and other ethnicities, each of the victims of the accused were fellow Kosovar Albanians.

Prosecutor Smith said that: ā€œThese people were not enemies of the state of Kosovo, they were not spies. They were fellow community members, innocent Kosovar Albanians whose only crimes was to be viewed, for one reason or another, as an impediment to the KLA and certain of its leaders, and thus labelled collaborators.

ā€œThe truth, as will be laid before this Court in the coming weeks, is that certain KLA leaders including Mr Mustafa, used their powers to victimize and brutalize fellow Kosovars, including individuals whose only crime was to have political views that differed from those of the KLA and its leaders.ā€

Prosecutor Smith emphasized that the proceedings against Mr Mustafa must be conducted according to the highest international standards and urged the Courtā€™s detractors to watch how it functioned in both the current trial and those that follow before judging it.

ā€œThe work of this Court represents opportunity,ā€ he said. ā€œAn opportunity for Kosovo to put the issues of this war behind it once and for all. An opportunity for victims to have their voices heard, and heard in a setting where they can speak the truth without fear of intimidation or retribution.ā€

ICC to opening an investigation on the Philippines

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ICC to opening an investigation on the Philippines

Today, on 15 September 2021, the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court granted theĀ Prosecutorā€™s requestĀ to commence an investigation in relation to crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court allegedly committed on the territory of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the so-called ā€˜war on drugsā€™ campaign.

On 14 June 2021, the Prosecutor filed a public redacted version of the request to open an investigation, initially submitted on 24 May 2021, requesting authorization to commence an investigation into the Situation in the Philippines, as provided for in Article 15(3) of the Rome Statute.

Pre-Trial Chamber I composed of Judge PĆ©ter KovĆ”cs, Presiding Judge, Judge Reine AdĆ©laĆÆde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Judge MarĆ­a del Socorro Flores Liera, examined the Prosecutorā€™s request and supporting material. The Chamber also considered 204 victimsā€™ representations received pursuant to Article 15(3) of the Statute.

In accordance with Article 15(4) of the Statute, the Chamber found that there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation, noting that specific legal element of the crime against humanity of murder under Article 7(1)(a) of the Statute has been met with respect to the killings committed throughout the Philippines between 1 July 2016 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the so-called ā€˜war on drugsā€™ campaign, as well as with respect to the killings in the Davao area between 1 November 2011 and 30 June 2016.

The Chamber emphasized that, based on the facts as they emerge at the present stage and subject to proper investigation and further analysis, the so-called ā€˜war on drugsā€™ campaign cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation, and the killings neither as legitimate nor as mere excesses in an otherwise legitimate operation. Rather, the available material indicates, to the required standard, that a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population took place pursuant to or in furtherance of a State policy, within the meaning of Article 7(1) and (2)(a) of the Statute.

Philippines, State party to the Rome Statute since 1 November 2011, deposited a written notification of withdrawal from the Statute on 17 March 2018. While the Philippinesā€™ withdrawal from the Statute took effect on 17 March 2019, the Court retains jurisdiction with respect to alleged crimes that occurred on the territory of the Philippines while it was a State Party, from 1 November 2011 up to and including 16 March 2019.

While the relevant crimes appear to have continued after this date, the Chamber noted that alleged crimes identified in the Article 15(3) Request are limited to those during the period when the Philippines was a State Party to the Statute and was bound by its provisions.

EU luncheon with focus on health hosted by Slovenia in Germany

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EU luncheon with focus on health hosted by Slovenia in Germany

Tuesday, 31 August 2021, Berlin, Germany: Slovenia’s Ambassador in Germany, Franc But hosted the second meeting of EU Ambassadors in Berlin within the framework of the Slovenian European Council Presidency. 

The luncheon was of particular relevance, for its the guest of honour was Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn. Hence the main topic on the agenda was a vivid discussion concerning the measures and restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, health cooperation amongst EU member states as well as vis-Ć -vis third parties. Minister Spahn, and the ambassadors exchanged views on possible EU mechanisms in order to prevent, or rather milden the societal effects of future pandemics. 

Discussions with Minister Spahn likewise focused on the current domestic political situation in Germany, and the upcoming federal elections and the other state elections, namely in the capital of Berlin, in Thuringia (early election) as well as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. 

The event was organised on the premises of the European Union Representation in Germany located a stone’s throw away from the Brandenburg Gate. 

For further information 


German Federal Ministry of Health: https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/en/ministry.html
————

Image courtesy of the Embassy of Slovenia in Germany

From left to right (all personalities with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Germany unless otherwise thus noted):Ā Inga SkujiņaĀ (Latvia);Ā Maria MarinakiĀ (Greece);Ā Ā Dr. Vanni XuerebĀ (Malta);Ā Maria PapakyriakouĀ (Cyprus);Ā Ronald van RoedenĀ (The Netherlands);Ā Susanne HyldelundĀ (Denmark);Ā dr. Gyƶrkƶs PĆ©terĀ (Hungary); HostĀ Franc But;Ā TomĆ”Å” KafkaĀ (Czechia); German Federal Minister of Health,Ā Jens Spahn; Prof.Ā Dr. Andrzej PrzyłębskiĀ (Poland);Ā Adriana StănescuĀ (Romania);Ā Francisco Ribeiro de MenezesĀ (Portugal);Ā Dr. Gordan BakotaĀ (Croatia);Ā Elena Radkova ShekerletovaĀ (Bulgaria);Ā RamÅ«nas MisiulisĀ (Lithuania)

Westphalian Peace Prize ceremony for Zaev and Tsipras

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Westphalian Peace Prize ceremony for Zaev and Tsipras


Saturday, 28 August 2021, MĆ¼nster, Westphalia, NRW, Germany: After a hiatus of almost a year due to the pandemic, theĀ International Prize for the Peace of Westphalia 2020Ā was awarded in person, jointly toĀ Alexis Tsipras, former Prime Minister of Greece, as well asĀ Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia, for their agreement in settling the North Macedonian name dispute.

The recipients share the prize of 100,000 euros with the climate ambassadors of “Plant-for-the-Planet” NGO, who received the Youth Prize.

The Peace Prize is awarded every two years by the Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe (WWL), in commemoration of the end of the 30 Years’ War in 1648. Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the award ceremony was held for the first time in the atrium of the State Museum of Art and Culture on the Cathedral’s Square as it offers more space for guests than the historic City Hall of MĆ¼nster where the ceremony is normally conducted. 

Tsipras and Zaev received the award from the hands of Latvian President Egils Levits. In 2018, the three Baltic states were accorded the Peace Prize, laudator Levits representing the Baltic countries, symbolically handed over the bronze sculptures of the Westphalian horse to Tsipras and Zaev.

During his eulogy the Latvian head of state stated that the two laureates had made a significant contribution to the Prespa Accord, which in 2018 sealed an agreement in the long-running Macedonian name dispute. Thereby “not only signing a legal document, but also ending a problem for an entire region”. 

Levits emphasized the parallels between the Peace of Westphalia and the Macedonian settlement. “What we have in common is the spirit and will to overcome long-standing antagonisms and to find creative power together to create something the new, the better.” This spirit of good compromise that characterises the Prespa Agreement is what makes Tsipras and Zaev “worthy recipients of the Westphalian Peace Prize”.

In their acceptance speeches, the two politicians acknowledged their amiable cooperation, for which they had unselfishly put their own political careers on the line. Zoran Zaev also pointed out to parallels between the Prespa Agreement and the Peace of the Peace Treaty of Westphalia.

“In fact, the first article of the Treaty of Westphalia does not really speak of peace but of friendship between its signatories”, Zaev said. “This is also what the Prespa Agreement stands for!”

For further information:

 
Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe: https://www.wirtschaftliche-gesellschaft.de/presse/friedenspreis-2020/


Embassy of North Macedonia in Germany (HE Ambassador Ramadan Nazifi): https://www.mfa.gov.mk/en/page/37/europe/embassies

Embassy of Greece in Germany (HE Ambassador Maria Marinaki): https://www.mfa.gr/germany/de/


Embassy of Latvia in Germany (HE Ambassador Inga Skujiņa): https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/berlin/vestnieciba

Picture by WWL

Malaysia Ambassador present letters of credence

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Malaysia Ambassador present letters of credence

In the picture H.E. Datoā€™ Nadzirah Binti Osman, Ambassador of Malaysia and spouse. Ambassador Osman presented her Letters of Credence to HM. King Willem Alexander of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

By Roy lie Atjam

Noordeinde Palace The Hague, on the sunny morning of 8 September 2021, H.E. Datoā€™ Nadzirah Binti Osman, Ambassador of Malaysia was honoured to present her Letters of Credence to HM. King Willem Alexander of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

It was a privilege to receive such a warm welcome.

Ambassador Datoā€™ Nadzirah Binti Osman looks forward to furthering the long-established and warm bilateral relationship between the two friendly nations.

Ambassador Dato’ Nadzirah Binti Osman was collected and accompanied by a chamberlain of the King. To this end, the King made available to the ambassador a gala carriage and a so-called blue carriage for the embassy staff. The carriages were drawn by two horses. The gala carriage was preceded by two co-drivers in gala outfit. Two riders of the Mounted Marechaussee ride in ceremonial dress in front of and behind each carriage in procession.

H.E. Datoā€™ Nadzirah Binti Osman, Ambassador of Malaysia coming back from Noordeinde Palace.

A guard of honour and a military band was in place at the palace. The Guard of Honor consisted of a commander and two detachments from the Air Force Command.

The music was by the Marine Band of the Royal Navy & Tamboers en Pijpers. At the entrance of the palace were two honorary posts of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee Brigade The Hague.

After a drum salute and the national anthem of Malaysia, an inspection of the guard of honour followed, the ambassador subsequently entered the palace.Ā  Upon departing Dato’ Nadzirah Binti Osman again received a salute of honour.

The new ambassador of Malaysia.

The Embassy of Malaysia hosted a reception in honnour of this memorable day.

We wish Ambassador Dato’ Nadzirah Binti Osman a successful and pleasant stint in the Netherlands.

Morocco shifts government

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Morocco shifts government

Friday, 10 September 2021, Fes, Kingdom of Morocco: His Sharifan MajestyĀ King Mohammed VIĀ charged renowned businessman, and hithertoĀ Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests,Ā Aziz AkhannouchĀ with the task to form a novel government with himself serving in the position as prime minister.Ā 

Akhannouch led his National Rally of Independents to a landslide victory in the latest general and municipal elections in Morocco; thus unseatingĀ Saadeddine OthmaniĀ and his Justice and Development Party, in power since 2011.Ā 

The National Rally of Independents won 102 out of 395 mandates in Parliament. In the municipal elections it gained 9,995 out of 31,503 possible offices as well as 196 out of 678 votes in the regional ballots.Ā 

Aziz Akhannouch has served in the Moroccan government since 2007. Additionally he is known as CEO ofĀ Akwa Group S.A., which manages assets and businesses in the fields of oil and gas, tourism, real estate as well as telecommunications.Ā 

For further information 
Royal Moroccan Government:  https://www.cg.gov.ma/fr

Malta or the size of the idea

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Malta or the size of the idea

The Ambassador of Malta, H.E. Mr. Marc Antony Pace. 27 July 2021 Museum of Antiquities Leiden.

By Michelle Rahimi

On July 27th, Malta and the National Museum of Antiquities of Leiden organized an extraordinary exhibition showcasing Maltese culture and history.

The impressive exhibition took several years of preparation, investigation, and consultation from both Malta and the Netherlands leading up to the opening.

Despite the difficulties the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic brought about, including restrictions and the lack of personnel available from each country, the goal of hosting an opening exhibition was reached virtually and live.

The Ambassador of Malta, H.E. Mr. Marc Antony Pace, the director of the museum, Mr. Wim Weijland, and their team came together to work with one another despite the challenges this year has brought about.

Ambassador Pace addressed this in his speech, ā€œThe opening of this exhibition, even if in a virtual format, is even more special. It shows how much we can achieve when we work together beyond borders and cultures. Despite all the difficulties, the Rijskmusuem van Oudehen, Heritage Malta and the Malta Tourism Authority managed to make it happen.ā€

H.E. Mr. Mattew Neuhaus, Ambassador of Australia, Mr. Rick Bijkerk, Ms Angela Neuhaus and Ambassador Pace.

Malta obtains a long and exquisite history that predates entire civilizations including Ancient Egypt and Rome. It is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites ā€“ the oldest erected before the Stonehenge.

The Ambassador of Malta and H.E. Ms. Tatiana PĆ¢rvu, Ambassador of Moldova.

With stone being the archipelagoā€™s only natural resource, its inhabitants came to be very skilled masons. Every phase of Maltaā€™s history is said to have left an architectural legacy.

the director of the museum, Mr. Wim Weijland, the Ambassador of Malta and H.E. Mr. Nicolas Plexidas, Ambassador of Greece.

In the exhibition opening speech, H.E. Mr. Marc Antony Pace exclaimed ā€œIt is a well-known fact that Malta is a small country. But as a Maltese statesman used to often repeat ā€œitā€™s not the size of the country, it is the size of the idea.ā€

It is quite apparent that the Maltese have made a lasting impression on the world, despite their size. Between 3600 and 2500 B.C., Malta experienced an architectural phenomenon and constructed megalithic structures across the island. These buildings were built to a very high degree of design and precision, with pieces of this unique spectacle displayed across the new exhibition.

The Ambassador of Lebanon. H.E. Abdel Sattar Issa, H.E. Mr Hatem Elsayed Mohamed Kamaleldin, Ambassador of Egypt and the Ambassador of Poland, H.E. Mr Marcin Czepelak.

ā€œWe hope that this exhibition will encourage those living in the Netherlands to visit Malta to experience first-hand the uniqueness of Maltaā€™s prehistory and our other cultural treasures,ā€ H.E. Marc Antony Pace mentioned in some of his closing remarks.

The new exhibition will no doubt foster and continue to build the relationship and partnership between Malta, the Netherlands, and all those who wish to experience the beauty of these cultures.

H.E. Mr. Marc Anthony Pace, Ambassador of Malta, H.E. Ms Dubravka Plejic Markovic, Ambassador of Croatia and the Ambassador of Cyprus, H.E. Ms Frances Lanitou.

The Ambassador of Poland, Mr Marcin Czepelak and spouse enjoyed the exhibition.

87th European ministers conference in Chemnitz

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87th European ministers conference in Chemnitz

8-9 September 2021, Chemnitz, Free State of Saxony, Germany: The Conference of Ministers in charge of European Affairs of the GermanĀ LƤnderĀ (EMK) consists of those ministers, senators, state secretaries and state councillors of Germanyā€™s federal states who are responsible for European Affairs, integration and subsidiarity.

The Free State of Saxony is represented byĀ Katja Meier, State Minister for Justice and Democracy, European Affairs and Gender Equality.

TheĀ EMKĀ represents the interests of the LƤnder in European Affairs with respect to the German Federal Government and to the European Union (EU). In order to acknowledge and take into account the views of various LƤnder representatives, its position on current European policy issues and projects that have been drawn up by means of joint decisions and opinions that are conveyed to the Federal Government, relevant institutions in Brussels and a host of other stakeholders.

Within the EMK, the LƤnder also coordinate how they intend to raise awareness about European Affairs and promote the idea of Europe.

The Free State of Saxony is chairing the EMK from 1 July 2021 until 30 June 2022. Saxony intends to take this opportunity to work together with the representatives of the other LƤnder to help make the EU more cohesive, and to ensure that Europe is a more democratic and a more socially and environmentally fairer place.Ā 

To underpin its Presidency, Saxony is proposing five priorities for meeting these goals :

  • 1. Cross-border cooperation, i.e.,Ā German-Czech relations
  • 2. EU citizenship and the future of the EU
  • 3. The European Green Deal: innovation, climate and energy ā€“ implementing the EUā€™s climate objectives with an emphasis on regions
  • 4. The rule of law, democracy and equality5. Flight and migration.

The heart of our programme lies in strengthening a sustainable, democratic, European society and focusing on the EUā€™s core values. The Saxon programme will continue to develop dynamically in the course of the Presidency, taking into account the hopes, concerns and wishes expressed by all the LƤnder.

For further information: Ā 

Saxony’s Ministry of Justice and Democracy, European Affairs and Gender Equality:Ā https://www.europa.sachsen.de/EMK-aktuelles-und-programm.html

About the Saxon chairmanship:Ā https://www.europa.sachsen.de/download/EMK_EN.pdf

Picture by EMK, JoĢˆrg Riethausen. On the image from right to left:

First row:Ā 

Roland Theis, State Secretary and Plenipotentiary for European Affairs of the Saarland;Ā Melania Huml, Minister of European and International Affairs of Bavaria;Ā Lucia Puttrich, Minister of Federal and European Affairs of Hesse, Plenipotentiary to the German Federation; HostessĀ Katja Meier, Minister of Justice and Democracy, European Affairs and Gender Equality of Saxony;Ā Birgit HonĆ©, Minister of Federal and European Affairs, Regional Development of Lower Saxony, Plenipotentiary to the German Federation;Ā Katrin Lange, Minister of Finance and European Affairs of Brandenburg;Ā Kristina Vogt, Senator of Economic, Labour and European Affairs of Bremen.Ā 

Second row:Ā 

Almut Mƶller, Plenipotentiary of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg before the German Federation, the European Union and for International Affairs; Britta Lenz, Permanent Representative of Rhineland-Palatinate for Federal, European and Media Affairs;Ā Gerry Woop, State Secretary for European Affairs of the City of Berlin;Ā Claus Christian Claussen, Minister of Justice, European Affairs, Consumers’ Protection and Equal Opportunities of Schleswig-Holstein;Ā Mathias Weilandt, Saxony’s State Secretary for Justice and European Affairs.

Third row:Ā 

Florian Hassler, State Secretary for Political Coordination and European Affairs at the State Chancellery of Baden-WĆ¼rttemberg;Ā Thomas Lenz, State Secretary at the Ministry for Home and European Affairs of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania;Ā Dr. Stephan Holthoff-Pfƶrtner, Minister of Federal, European and International Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia,Ā Malte Joas KrĆ¼ckels, State Secretary for Media and European Affairs, Plenipotentiary of Thuringia to the German Federation;Ā Dr. Michael Schneider, State Secretary and Plenipotentiary to the German Federation of Saxony-Anhalt.Ā 

Colombia, of Love and Other Demons

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Colombia, of Love and Other Demons

An important part of the agenda of H.E. Mr. Fernando Grillo is promoting Colombian culture via the Spanish language since his accreditation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands as Colombian Ambassador on April 7, 2021. ā€œOur language is a powerful tool that we should use at every opportunity. We talked about Colombia to students, artists, associations, the Spanish is a great language, excellent vehicle to create new links among people. We will do our best to promote Colombia and the studies of the language.ā€   

September 2 marked the first activity of the Hispanic Society of The Hague, directed by Edith Bergansius,  after the summer holidays. ā€œAmbassador Fernando Grillo invited me at the end of June to talk about promoting some aspects of the Colombian culture and he gave me the wonderful Gabriel Garcia Marquez book Del Amor y Otros Demonios. Then Viviana Medina, cultural advisor, sent me several options. Finally, I opted for the film based on GarcĆ­a MĆ”rquez’s novel as he is a very well-known Nobel Prize writer and has been widely translated in  Holland,ā€ explained Bergansius.

Hilda Hidalgo directed the film version of the Colombian novel first published in 1994, and was selected in 2010 on the list ofĀ Best Foreign Language FilmĀ at theĀ 83rd Academy Awards.

There was a considerable group of people attending the screening from the Hispanic Society, taking into account current COVID restrictions, including among all three members of the board of directors, also Dutch, Spanish,  Peruvian, and Venezuelan attendees. Besides the Colombian embassy team, there were also several ambassadors with their wives.

Even if Sierva Maria de Todos Los Angeles died of love, the public enjoyed the screening and the opportunity to discuss the film with the Colombian delegation during the reception that followed.

ā€œIā€™m a fan of Colombia and for sure we will do other joint activities.ā€ Said Bergansius.

President Zelensky receives political support from Germany

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President Zelensky receives political support from Germany

Premier Laschet and President Volodymyr Selenskyj – Picture by Land NRW, Phil Dera

Sunday, 11 July 2021, Berlin, Germany: North Rhine-Westphalia’s Premier Armin Laschet received the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, for talks at the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in the German capital. 

Premier Armin Laschet said during the bilateral meeting: “Ukraine is an important partner in our immediate European neighbourhood. We appreciate the clear orientation towards Europe, and have a high interest in geopolitical stability, sovereignty and modernisation in Ukraine. That is why we support Ukraine’s reform efforts.”Ā 

With regard to Crimea and the situation in the east of the country, Premier Laschet emphasized the position of the state government: “The annexation of Crimea by Russia, which is contrary to international law, and the conflict in eastern Ukraine must come to a swift end. Ukrainian sovereignty over the territory of Crimea and the Donbass must be restored. For this, the ceasefire in the Donbass must be permanently respected and the principle of inviolability of borders must be respected again by all parties.”Ā 

During the talks, Premier Laschet and President Zelensky also discussed ways to deepen economic relations between North Rhine-Westphalia and the Ukraine.

For further information:
Government of NRW: https://www.mbei.nrw/de/ministerpraesident-armin-laschet-geopolitische-stabilitaet-und-reformkurs-der-ukraine-unterstuetzen
Ukrainian Presidency: https://www.president.gov.ua/en

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